My goal with Running in a Skirt is to help YOU live a happier, healthier life! Your little ones are really brave for embracing boas and alligators. But in the spring and summer, the northern beaches are where it's at. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family trip, or a nature escape, this Southwest Florida paradise is the perfect choice for your vacation! KathrynAnywhere is a participant in the Booking.com affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees upon guests booking reservations at the accommodations listed. The tour takes you across the flat waters of local estuaries and waterways and offers beginner instruction for those new to the sport. Our room was clean and spacious, and had a little kitchenette (some of the units in this resort have full kitchens, if this is a need for you). By: Jodi/Updated on: February 15, 2023/3 Comments. Travel and World Peace: How Traveling the World has Changed My Perspective. Just ask! Head to Matzaluna for some variety. Here you can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and nature. Their learning lab is a great place for children to engage in hands-on play with displays, games, a tank with indigenous mollusks, and continuously-playing children's videos. Sanibel island is one of the most bike friendly places that we have ever been. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you're ready to explore South Plainfield, sign up for one of the top tours & day trips on offer, and have a friendly guide show you some of the most popular sights. Currently expanding to add live-mollusk aquaria, Sanibel's shell museum is one of a kind, putting shells in the context of living creatures, history, culture, religion and art. "It's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. They didnt see a manatee. If you are staying on the east end of the island, this makes for a lovely bike ride (and you can stop for THE BEST key lime ice cream at Sanibels Best Homemade Ice Cream afterwards!). These are excellent suggestions! Biking downtown just got more exciting for kids having a map and treasures to hunt! Looking for a fun activity for the kids that's free and not the beach? Battlegroundz has a 20,000-square-foot . But Sanibel Island, which faces due west in the Gulf of Mexico, is one of them. On a regular day, the a.m. low tide will be better than the p.m. because if youre the first one out in the morning, youll be able to find the shells that have freshly washed ashore.Tip: My family has always gone to Sanibel Island in June and the beaches have always been filled with shells. Everyone on the island gets to help protect sea turtles. Sanibel Island has enough beautiful beaches to keep you busy for days. This is for sure at least worth a stop for ice cream (or a place to leave the kids and hubby so you can go in and grocery shop BY YOURSELF!). I definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island. They are almost all the way to Captiva, so if you are wanting to visit both islands, this is an ideal place to base yourself. This is a great thing to do in Jekyll Island with kids. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. There is a toll to be paid of $6.00 to gain entry to the island in a regular vehicle. In the winter, catch both sunrise and sunset on the southerly beaches. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. One of the first lighthouses on Floridas Gulf coast, this 98-foot tower offers showstopping views of the surrounding area and plenty of photo opportunities. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids gluten-free is made easier with simple recipes & kids cooking ideas. Corrie P./CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. At the Crow Clinic Animal Rehab, kids can interact with animal ambassadors for a remarkable learning experience. We had a fun morning riding out to see the Sanibel lighthouse. For more shopping fun, check out the shops in Times Square at the nearby Fort Myers Beach Pier. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. These cottages are on the western end of the island, so you are guaranteed some beautiful sunsets right from your front porch! We only took a handful home with us as I didnt want to break them in our luggage. 7. The museum features over 30 permanent exhibits on shells of Sanibel and Captiva Island, as well as those from around the world. 9. 1. Our next stop was rumoured to be the place to see the manatee. Buy groceries before you come over. Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. Indulge in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub, or a deep tissue massage at the spa. It was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping as two more island business emerged from . Another note, Sunburned Willie, the host of the crab race, can be a bit crass. We are Shanna and Aaron + kiddos. If you're lucky you may even spot a gator! Join Little Learners for a Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop. My twins started collecting shells from the beach on our first trip but this year they really got into it! Visit the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce's . Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Joe is a great teacher, and storyteller. Conditions are often mild and allow you to experience many of the island's activities no matter when you visit. Look up and see if you can observe some ospreys or pelicans. After your walk, you can enjoy a picnic lunch. They even have a special app that you can download and identify any shells that you find (you dont have to visit the museum to use the app!). Leave the kids with your husband and get a massage at the Tween Waters Inn. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. Copyright 2022 - There and Back Again Travel / Shanna Schultz, Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Sanibel Island with Kids, saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. Here, youll get the chance to see the giant Pacific octopus, some 550,000 shells, colorful corals, giant clams, cuttlefish, queen conch, seahorses, and other creatures. From action-packed water sports to relaxing spa treatments, we have something for everyone. In my personal experience, most family travel has been to the area where an infamous mouse hangs out. Sanibel Island with kids is the perfect place to spend a family vacation! Besides relaxing and playing on the beaches, there are kid-friendly restaurants, museums, and historical sites to enjoy with your family. Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. There are paved bike paths that cross the island and 2 well-known bike shops that will deliver bikes to your hotel, ready when you arrive. A 90-minute excursion on the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises(located on neighboring Captiva Island) will guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. Pick from one of many competitive games at Battlegroundz in Lincoln including dodgeball, laser tag, paintball, archery tag, airsoft, darts and cornhole. There are bike lanes literally EVERYWHERE. Reach out to me using this form and lets start brainstorming and planning your next amazing escapebecause to me it is more than just a vacation. Kids love being responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles! They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. Here you'll find healthy vegetarian and pescatarian recipes, health & wellness tips, healthy travel guides, plus behind the scenes fun from my life as a twin Mom. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops,and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. The Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for their guests. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. Its the only way to get a seat at the race table! Ever been to Captiva or Sanibel? Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. If you like a bit of history in your travels, then be sure to pay a visit to the lighthouse on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. 74. Your email address will not be published. Bring goggles for kids to get a good look at the sandy ocean bottom. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. Throughout the year, the temperatures on Sanibel Island can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the low 90s. Shell Harbor Though Shell Harbor might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens. I would absolutely stay there again. The refuge also offers tram rides hosted by a naturalist, so kids can learn more about what they're seeing. My family loves Sanibel and I'm sure yours will too. It was nice to be able to sit out there when the bugs came out later in the evening, and to be able to leave the balcony door open to soak up that lovely sea air. Located at Point Ybel, at the eastern tip of Sanibel Island, Lighthouse Park Beach & Fishing Pier is a stunning 45-acre park where visitors can experience nature at its finest. I am so glad that I chose to stay on Sanibel proper for our trip to Sanibel Island with kids, because it would have been a whole different trip if we hadnt been right here. We had a ton of fun just playing in the water. Address: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. Private tour guidesare also available to take your family around the islands in search of dolphins and manatees while sharing all kinds of tales about the islands' rich history. From beautiful beaches for shelling to countless water activities for kids, Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation for families. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? there is a wildlife refuge that you can either take a guided tram or drive yourself through. You can drive through the preserve at your own pace and get out to spot wildlife. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our {31 fun activities in South Plainfield fun activities in South Plainfield } are also worth a look. More shops and restaurants and better choice of hotels and resorts. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. Smaller dead fish washed up and we had mild coughs when spending extended periods of time on the beach and shore area. I am a travel agent and family travel expert who is PASSIONATE about planning amazing adventures for families. The Best Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids, Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. Cayo Costa State Park. Here are the Top Things to Do with Kids on Sanibel Island, Florida. There are shells all year long. We didnt eat out that much while we were here. Summer Waves Water Park is a thrilling experience with plenty of waterslides the whole family can enjoy. You might spot a dolphin or two from there. So if there aren't traditional kids attractions what ARE the things to do with kids in Sanibel Island? This is a review for fun things to do near Landfield Ave, Monticello, NY 12701: "Amazing place: gorgeous view, extremely pleasant people and lots of fun. It's a pretty spectacular sight. Top 10 things to do on Sanibel Island with kids J.N. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! This should be enough to get you started (and if you have any favorites that you think I should add, please let me know! The Best, Most Unique Places to Stay In Hawaii on a Budget, Universal Studios for Kids What We Learned on our First Visit, Essential Travel Gear 10 Seemingly Random Things that I Wont Travel Without, The Ultimate Guide to Eating Cheaply in Paris, How We Spent 3 Days in Amsterdam with Kids. Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! There arent really any great public transportation on Sanibel Island, so unless you are planning to take an Uber to and from the airport (expensive given the distance) you will need a car to get around. Visiting this locale is a feel-good endeavor, too, as your admission fee goes towards the care of approximately 3,500 injured and orphaned animals each year. Heads up, you'll want to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. Get there early, as parking spaces fill up. of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. Collect shells along the beach Sanibel is known as the Shelling Capital of the World, and it's not hard to see why. They make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors in total. Some bucket-list experiences here are sunbathing, kayaking, bird watching, and exploring idyllic parks like the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. Kids Activities. They loved running and collecting new shells. Mom and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the grocery store. Check out the nearby learning centre at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife(CROW) where kids can watch as animals are nursed back to health at the animal hospital and perform their own pretend rehabilitations on stuffed versions of their favourite critters. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. Why not try a different one each night? One of the main reasons I love coming here so much is for the shells. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. The island's east-west orientation situates it perfectly to catch over 250 types of shells out of the Gulf of Mexico tides. They were a lot cheaper than similar resorts on Sanibel. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It turns out, there are plenty of things to do on Sanibel Island with kids. Sanibel Island: Much better shelling. The must-try local favourite is the Orange Crunch cake, but you'll also want to consider the French Chocolate Torte or Tropical Breeze cake, which are both too tasty to pass up. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. 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